Things to do in playa san juan: Best things to do in Playa San Juan, Tenerife (2022 Guide)

Best things to do in Playa San Juan, Tenerife (2022 Guide)

Playa San Juan, Tenerife

Playa San Juan is a small fishing village in the municipality of Guia de Isora, situated somewhere in between Costa Adeje and Los Gigantes. In the past, the entire village used to live from fishing and the tuna factory, but in the past years the place has developed and tourism is now an important part of the economy.

Its origin goes back to the first salting factory owned by Juan Cumella and Juan Blanich. Playa San Juan is the last port on the south route of the island and used to be known as port no 7. With time, it has become, together with coastal trade activity, an important place for the packaging of merchandise entering or leaving Puerto de Guia or San Juan de Guia.

Nowadays Playa San Juan is undergoing major modernization works, starting with the upgrade works in the main square and the demolition of the old church. The restoration works have started in January 2017 and once they are finished the place will have a new look, ready to meet the expectations of tourists.

The beach in Playa San Juan

The beach in Playa San Juan, Tenerife

The town beach in Playa San Juan is protected by the harbor and has all the amenities you need, from sun loungers and umbrellas, to showers and ramps for wheelchair access. The water is calm and good for swimming, a favorite place for families with small children. The sand here is dark-colored and the entrance in the water is a bit rocky.

You will find many Spanish families at this beach, as it is very popular among residents. The crowd here is different from Playa de las Americas as there are no big hotels, mostly private apartments available to rent.

Parking and public transport

You can use bus lines 473 and 477 to get to the village.

If you have a rental car and you are coming to San Juan just for the day, you should try the public parking near the beach.

Where to stay in Playa San Juan

Since there are no hotels in Playa San Juan, you will have to opt for a self-catering holiday in one of the private apartments available for rent.  

This 2-bedroom apartment is located only 200 m from the main beach in Playa San Juan, so its location is ideal for a quiet holiday in Tenerife and the prices are also lower compared to the large tourist resorts. You will hear no noisy clubs here, just the sound of the ocean.

Things to do in Playa San Juan

Playa San Juan may be small compared to other towns like Los Cristianos, but it has a lot of charm and character and it is a good choice for a quiet holiday in Tenerife. You will be spending your days among many locals, so you will get a taste of real life in Tenerife.

Playground for kids

Near the harbor, you will find a playground for children to run around and play.

The promenade

Playa San Juan promenade

You will find a nice promenade, that goes along the coastline and allows for long walks with beautiful views of the harbor and the boats. The beach is a great place to sit and enjoy the sunset before you head out to one of the local restaurants for dinner.

Go on a boat trip to see whales and dolphins

Discover the diversity of whales and dolphins of Tenerife. After departing from the harbor in Playa San Juan, you will hit the open seas, in search of whales, dolphins, and other marine life.

BOOK ONLINETenerife: Marine Life Cruise

• The boat departs from Puerto Playa San Juan
• 3-hour boat cruise
• Sandwich and drinks included (soft drinks, red and white wine)

Playa San Juan Market

• Every Wednesday from 8 AM till 1 PM
• See location on Google Maps

The market in Playa San Juan has vendors who sell local fruits and vegetables, as well as items of clothing and other types of souvenirs and objects.

You can use Titsa bus lines 473 and 477 to get to the market in Playa San Juan.

The market has 2 sections: one with food stalls, where people from the area come with local fruits and vegetables and another section with jewelry, handmade objects, souvenirs and even fake products like watches and bags. The Mercadillo de Playa San Juan is small compared to the one in Los Cristianos, but less crowded and with more charm.

Restaurants in Playa San Juan

The mango ice cream is absolutely fabulous!

You will find many typical Spanish restaurants, with tapas and fresh fish on the menu. Also, in Playa San Juan you can enjoy the best cakes and sweets in all of Tenerife, at the bakery 100% Pan y Pasteleria. This place was ranked in Top 3 bakeries in Spain by the Repsol Guide.

A day at Playa de Abama

You can spend a day at the beautiful and secluded Abama beach, situated on the grounds of the Ritz Hotel. The access is free since it is a public beach, but you have to arrive early in order to find a parking space. A taxi is also an option if you don’t have a rental car. You will also find a world-class golf course at Abama hotel, very popular among golf players around the world.

Day trip to Alcala

From Playa San Juan you can easily reach Alcala for a short day trip

Alcala is a local town situated only 3 km away from Playa San Juan.

You can get there either by driving (if you rent a car) or by bus (lines no. 473/ 477/ 493). We managed to walk from Alcala to Playa San Juan on the coastal path, but we can’t really recommend it since it’s not a paved path and it can be a bit risky on some portions (and you would need a pair of reliable closed shoes, not flip-flops and sandals).

Visit Guia de Isora

Guia de Isora, Tenerife

In the nearby town of Guia de Isora, you will also find some nice restaurants, with food typical to the Canary Islands, if you want to sample more of the local cuisine.

Guia de Isora is not located on the coast so it would be useful to have a rental car to drive there yourself, although there is the option of taking the bus (direct bus line 493 links Playa San Juan to Guia de Isora)

Guia de Isora is located at around 580 m above sea level, so it is away from the main tourist areas of Tenerife South. If you want to try different local pastries you can head to Guia and try the typical “rosquetes de Guía” at Dulcería Isora, which is a bakery that makes traditional products from Tenerife. Also in Guia de Isora, you can try the best churros in Tenerife.

Fiestas in Playa San Juan

The most important fiesta and social event in Playa San Juan happens in August and it is dedicated to Virgen del Carmen. The whole village participates in the ceremonies and of course, there is dancing and music involved.

Compared to the big resorts there aren’t as many things to do in Playa San Juan, but its location gives you a good starting point to explore the island and discover a different side of Tenerife.

16 Best Things To Do In San Juan Del Sur [Nicaragua] in 2023

How to get to San Juan Del Sur?

There are a variety of ways to get to San Juan Del Sur, depending on what direction of the country you’re coming from.

If you’re heading to San Juan from the Costa Rica direction, or even the Ometepe direction, you can easily get a taxi from Rivas, or a bus.

If you’re heading from Leon (which is where Bradley and I came from since we looped the country), you can get a shuttle bus.

The shuttle is around $20 and it takes about 8 hours. I recommend going with Nicatime as they were the cheapest and the ride was pleasant. We stopped for lunch at a cheap place in Granada too which was delicious.

Getting around San Juan Del Sur

All the actual good surfing beaches in San Juan Del Sur are outside the central area, so you’ll need to either get a taxi or shuttle to the beaches.

There are tour agencies all over the place that offer shuttle services to the beaches, but many of them require a minimum of 3 people per shuttle.

If you want a taxi you will have to negotiate hard for a price. We got a taxi to Playa Yankee for $15 dollars and a shuttle was $15 each, so it can be better value to get a taxi if you’re sharing with people.

You can find a taxi driver on the street, ours turned out to be a big poop head, so make sure you get a nice one and AGREE beforehand on the price!

Read more: Guide to getting around Nicaragua

Where to stay in San Juan Del Sur

There are LOTS of great places to stay in San Juan Del Sur. I’ll list my top 5 below, 3 of which Bradley and I stayed in!

• ‍Rapture Surf Camps Nicaragua: Great surf camp for learning to surf and meet other backpackers. Situated in Playa Maderas in which you can get a shuttle too. ‍
• Costa Ducle Resort: to rejuvenate, relax and refresh, my favourite place in all of Nicaragua.‍
• Casa Romona Hostel: Cheap hostel in great location with cheap air con! (they can arrange a taxi to Rivas for cheap) ‍
• Selina Maderas: Selina is a go-to name that’s great for digital nomads and a wide range of room options. ‍
• Casa Andalucia: On the hill top looking over San Juan, it’s beautiful and has a rooftop pool.

These range of hotels have options to suit absolutely everyone. But you can find the best hotels in San Juan Del Sur Nicaragua here.

Top things to do in  San Juan Del Sur Nicaragua

Okay, now for the part you came for, the top things to do in San Juan Del Sur Nicaragua!

1.

Learn to surf at a surf camp

Nicaragua is one of the best places in the world to learn how to surf. Rather than just getting lessons by the sea, you should definitely spend some time at a surf camp!

We stayed in Rapture Surf Camp for a couple of nights, and got a little taste of what you do to learn to surf here.

It’s a really great community and all your food, surf board rental and surfing lessons are included in your rate. You can also choose to stay in dorms, really cute tents or actual air conditioned rooms!

Anyway, it’s fantastic value and a great place to spend 1-2 weeks learning how to surf. I recommend a solid 10 days if you’ve got time.

If you don’t wanna surf at a surf camp, then simply head to one of the many beaches in Nicaragua at San Juan Del Surf.

Playa Yankee is a beautiful and secluded beach and boards are around $10 for a days rental and $20 for a lesson. Playa Maderas is the most popular surfing beach and you can take a guided lesson here.

There are often lots of beach bars and shacks on the beach too where you buy snacks and drinks.

2. Relax on a yoga retreat

San Juan Del Sur is the perfect place to relax. It’s got stunning beaches, many of which are uncrowded, beautiful blue seas and much more.

It’s a perfect place to relax and if you want a yoga retreat with the best food in the world (I am not exaggerating), then Costa Dulce is the place for you. It’s secluded, beautiful and you will leave here feeling like a new person!

You can also combine surf and yoga at a yoga surf retreat here too.

If you don’t want to go to a yoga retreat, then you’ll find that most hotels and hostels will offer yoga sessions for either free or a small fee.

3. Parrttaayy

In peak season, San Juan Del surf is known for it’s party scene!

Actually every Sunday they have this massive pub crawl where all the backpackers gather and bar hop all day and night. It’s called Sunday Funday and it’s quite cheap.

There’s even a Sunday Funday pool crawl for those looking to cool down in the heat! 

That’s a great way to meet people and have fun, but if you’re not there on a Sunday, there are many bars in the area that have live music and lots of drink promotions during the week.

Like tequila for less than $1!

So you can easily DIY your own pub crawl!

Here’s some more information if you’re looking to get involved in Sunday Funday which I highly recommend.

4. Visit the Christ of the Mercy

The Christ of Mercy is almost like a smaller version of ‘Christ the Redeemer’ in Rio and is set upon a big hill. It’s one of the most iconic San Juan Del Sur attractions and isn’t a difficult walk, but you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of the city from the top.

Although it’s stunning at any time of day, the views from the top are spectacular at night when San Juan Del Sur is lit up and shining.

It’s great walking up just before sunset too as the weather is much cooler and the colours are unbelievable! 

This iconic statue is also easy to get to as you just need to cross the drawbridge on the beach and then walk up. From there, just follow the signs towards Malibu, and then you’ll come across signs for the Christ of Mercy. 

Here’s some more information about the route you should take to reach this iconic attraction!

It’s only $2 for the entrance fee too, so is one of the cheapest things to do in San Juan Del Sur.

5. Take a Catamaran Ride

Heading out on a catamaran is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in San Juan Del Sur. 

You won’t be short of tour options either as there are lots of signs advertising this activity along the beach. However, one of the most popular operators for catamaran trips in San Juan Del Sur is Nica Sail!

You also won’t be breaking the bank to do this, as you can get a full-day package deal for around $70. This includes all your food and drink for the day, so take advantage of this by sipping cocktails on the boat throughout your trip. 

Sounds like the life right? Honestly – I couldn’t recommend this experience enough! 

The catamaran will also stop throughout the trip so you can jump out for a swim. You’ll also want to give snorkelling a go too as the waters are so clear. 

So if you’re looking for a fun and unique day out then make sure you add this to your itinerary!

6. Horseback riding on the beach

If you picture a stunning sunset whilst trekking along the beach on a beautiful horse – then you’re exactly right! 

This is one of the most relaxing (and romantic) things to do in San Juan Del Sur and is a popular activity with couples.

You can organise your horseback riding tours with Rancho Chilamate as they will take you to some of the most beautiful beaches in the area that are famous for their isolation and tranquillity. 

The guided tours can be taken at any time of the day, whether it’s during sunset, or early in the morning. They last for around 5 hours and cost around $65 per person.

This tour is also a great option if you’re looking to go horse riding along Playa Maderas which is a 20-minute drive outside of the city centre.

Playa Maderas is one of the most beautiful beaches in the area so makes the perfect backdrop!

7.

Drink cocktails by the beach

The restaurants located on the beach are lovely with great views, fantastic food and great 2-4-1 cocktails!

They are a little pricier than other restaurants, but for the views and the atmosphere, it’s definitely worth paying a little more.

These are great at both lunchtime (you can dip in the sea!), and in the evening to catch a sunset.

There are endless options to choose from but some of the most popular spots include the Iguana Bar, Dale Pues, and Simon Says!

8. Learn Spanish

Nicaragua in general is a great spot to learn Spanish, but San Juan Del Sur offers plenty of options when it comes to learning this awesome language.

Spanish is really useful to know if you’re planning to spend long periods of time in Central America, South America and Spain too! 

One of the best ways to learn Spanish is by heading to one of the language schools in San Juan Del Sur. You can spend hours here learning if you wish, and the prices are cheap too.  

You can actually get lessons for as cheap as $5 per hour in this city, so there’s no excuse not to learn! 

One of the most popular options in San Juan Del Sur is Lago Azul Spanish School as it has plenty of great reviews. You can book lessons through the website or this Spanish lesson option.

9. Go on an ATV tour

Now, this is one of the coolest things to do in San Juan Del Sur! 

Everyone loves a good ATV tour and there’s no better way to explore the area around this beautiful city. 

This ATV tour lasts for four hours and there are a variety of route options available. You can either visit some of the nearby beaches, head to the Christ of Mercy, or explore the jungle. 

All of the routes offer a fantastic and fun experience, and you’ll be in safe hands too!

The ATVs are comfortable, safe, and easy to drive so you don’t need to worry about going on this tour. There will be local guides to help you every step of the way too, and they’ll even show you some of the city’s hidden gems.

You can also choose when to start your tour so there’s a lot of flexibility, however, the operator recommends starting around 2:00 pm.

10. Visit some of the beaches in the nearby area

Although San Juan Del Sur offers a beautiful beach, there are plenty of others to explore in the area. 

This includes the beautiful Playa Maderas which is considered to be one of the best beaches in the country.

You can also visit Playa Hermosa, Playa Remanso, and Playa Nacascolo as all of them are close by.

Many people choose to hire a vehicle and then head out of San Juan Del Sur to explore the coast at their own leisure. However, if you’re not confident in driving a vehicle abroad then some of the hotels in the city offer shuttle buses to the closest beaches. 

You’ll just have to have a look around and do some research to see which hotels are offering them currently.

Trust me – there’s nothing better than spending a day exploring all the stunning beaches this coastline has to offer.  

11. Take a day trip out to Ometepe

Ometepe is one of my favourite places in all of Nicaragua and is a must-visit if you’re staying in San Juan Del Sur. 

The best way to get there is to take a local bus to Rivas, and then catch the ferry from there. It’s not a difficult journey and is one of the best day trips to do in the area! 

Once you get on the island your best bet is to hire a moped so you can explore to your heart’s content.

The two main walks on the island are the Concepcion Volcano hike and the Maderas Volcano hike although it’s unlikely you’ll have time to do these if you’re just spending the day.

However, there are tons of places to visit on the island including a local waterhole, Charco Verde, and El Pital Chocolate Paradise which is a local chocolate factory! 

12. Try some local cuisine 

One of our favourite things to do whilst we travel is try the local cuisine! In my opinion, it’s one of the best ways to get to know an area or city.  

Nicaragua’s local dishes primarily consist of rice, beans, plantain and a form of protein which is usually chicken or fish. 

One of the country’s most traditional dishes is Gallo Pinto which can be found in restaurants throughout San Juan Del Sur. Consisting of red beans, white rice, onions, eggs, and avocado it’s a taste overload! You can even add cheese to it if you wish.

You’ll also find plenty of freshly made burritos and tacos in the city too so there are lots of options.

However, if you’re all riced out then you can head to the likes of Dale Pues which serves international dishes including tasty burgers.

13. Head on a tour to Playa La Flor

Playa La Flor (or La Flor Beach Natural Reserve as it’s sometimes known) is just a 40-minute drive from San Juan Del Sur.

It covers an impressive area of over 3,000 hectares and is one of the best places in Nicaragua to spot Olive Ridley sea turtles.

If you’re lucky you might get to spot baby sea turtles hatch, as this area is one of the top nesting sites in the country.  

The best time of year for this is between October and November, where you’ve got a high chance of watching these little turtles make their journey towards the beach.

Although you can drive there yourself if you hire a vehicle, public buses and tours also run to the reserve from San Juan Del Sur. Entering the reserve is cheap too and costs around $7.

If you’re a nature lover like us then taking a trip out to this reserve is one of the top things to do in San Juan Del Sur.  

14. Grab a cold beer at San Juan Del Sur Cerveceria

There’s no better way to relax in the hot weather than by having a cold beer in hand. Luckily, you’ll find plenty of options in San Juan Del Sure for this! 

However, I’d recommend heading to Cerveceria which is one of the most popular bars in the city. Ran by the Nicaragua Craft Beer Co, this bar offers a variety of unique craft beers that have been brewed in the city itself.

You can always go for one of the local beers like Victoria or Tone, or you can try something completely unique! 

Not only does Cerveceria offer a wide variety of local ale, but they also often have live music on during the evenings. This makes it a great place to relax and end one of your days in San Juan Del Sur. 

So make sure you leave yourself some free time to nip in!

15. Take a day trip out to Granada

Granada is another awesome place to visit if you’re staying in San Juan Del Sur! 

It’s just a 1.5-hour drive from the city, but ideally, you’ll need your own vehicle for this one.

Granada is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Nicaragua, and in all honesty, it requires a couple of days to explore! However, many travellers just don’t have this kind of time so I recommend spending at least a day here to see the main attractions. 

The most popular spots to visit within the city include the Main Plaza, the iconic Granada Cathedral, and the Chocolate Museum.

Make sure you also take a guided tour of the city so you can learn about its history from a local. This tour includes a visit to Las Isletas too! 

You can even take some time to marvel at the city’s unique colonial buildings if you have time.

16. Spend some time at the Art Warehouse

Now, this is one of the more unique things to do in San Juan Del Sur! 

The Art Warehouse is just a short walk from the beach and is a small art gallery and café that hosts workshops throughout the week. 

Keep an eye on their Facebook Page during your stay, as this where they promote their art classes and events.

They also work with the local community, so a lot of the funds raised go straight to helping the local children get involved with art projects.

Not only can you get involved with a number of crafts here, but this place serves delicious food too! You’ll also want to try some of their tasty smoothies. 

With awesome painted walls, a variety of workshops, and tasty dishes – this is easily one of the best things to do in San Juan Del Sur! 

San Juan Del Sur Travel Tips & FAQ

When is a good time to visit San Juan Del Sur?

The best time to visit San Juan Del Sur is around November to April, but the great thing about surfing in Nicaragua is that surfing is pretty much available throughout the year along the coast.

But, the most pleasant time will be in the “peak” season when the weather is dry and pleasant. (Still very warm!)

How long should you spend in San Juan Del Sur?

This will depend on what you want to do. If you want to learn how to surf then I recommend spending a couple of weeks at a surf camp in Nicaragua, or if you want to relax then a yoga retreat might be a great idea (which could be 1-2), or if you’re just passing through on a Nicaragua backpacking route, then 3-4 nights is a great amount.

What is a good budget for San Juan Del Sur?

San Juan Del Sur is cheap! Much like the rest of Nicaragua. You will find the beach restaurants are a little more expensive, but head in land and everything is cheap as chips.

Accommodation is also not expensive, you can get double rooms for dirt cheap too.

You can get by on around $20 per day! Obviously, if you want to splurge more than you can.

Can you just book a tour for San Juan Del Sur?

Although you may find some tours available for San Juan Del Sur, there’s not really an option for exploring the city as a whole.

For this reason, you’re best to do a ‘self-guided’ tour where you can visit all the best attractions yourself. From there, you can take tours if you’re planning to go on a couple of day trips.

Where to next after San Juan Del Sur

If you’re heading to Costa Rica, you can get a taxi to the border for about $20, or you can travel to the beautiful island of Ometepe and stay there rather than just take a day trip!

Or you can simply head straight to Granada!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my list on the top things to do in San Juan Del Sur Nicaragua. You might find San Juan Del Sur addictive and find you want to stay longer than planned, but don’t worry!

Check out our complete backpacking Nicaragua guide here.

If you’ve got any suggestions to add to my list, then comment below!

Happy travelling 🙂

Disclaimer: Fully research your destination prior to travel, or any products prior to purchase. We can accept no responsibility for anything you experience as a result of the information found on this website. Some posts may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission for some purchases, at no additional expense to you. Read more here. 

Live like a local: San Juan. Tenerife

Ola, amigos! We decided to start a new section – Live like a local. Here we will open budget locations for living in the most non-budget tourism destinations, the features of a particular region, knowing which you can no longer spend fabulous sums on your travels. Do you think it’s a good idea?

A typical Canarian street in San Juan

Today we will talk about the port town San Juan , which is located in the South-West of Tenerife in the municipality of Guia De Isora. Coordinates 28.181582, -16.816163. Prices for renting apartments start from 25€.

San Juan has a meager hotel network, zero point zero tenths of attractions, entertainment centers and shopping streets. But for the independent traveler, San Juan is a great choice.

The location suits you if:
— you are on a tight budget;
– if you want to see the real Canarian life, feel like a local; nine0015 – while you rent a car , which in the Canary Islands is easier than a steamed turnip, you don’t even have to shine with a credit card;
– you want to drive around the island, see the cities, visit the Teide , in general, move, and not go out in a hotel with a golden toilet and boiled eggs for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

San Juan is not for you if:
– you want to relax and enjoy the ocean, the sun, the beach within walking distance;
– you get high with all the fibers of your soul at the phrase “seal rest”; nine0015 – excursions are not your priority;
– you cannot or do not want to rent a car;
– you need a party.

From the points above, you might get the impression that San Juan is a godforsaken village with nothing but cheap housing and a port.

An average Canarian house

A small southern paradise

San Juan is a typical Spanish town where ordinary smiling and open people live. They go to work every day, fish on boats, do not forget about the siesta and love holidays and fun. Life here does not fit into the format of a metropolis. She flows steadily. nine0015 Every morning at 7 o’clock in the port, fishermen sell fresh catch from boats. Unsold items end up on store shelves. There is a farmers’ market that runs on Wednesdays from 9 am to 2 pm.

Beach

Port and Embankment in San JuanCity beach

Near the port there is a picturesque equipped beach Playa San Juan (Playa San Juan) with large pebbles, sharp stones and sand. Swimming without special shoes is more expensive. The ocean is calm without waves. It is easy for an adult to take a dip in the morning. But every day to test the legs for strength is not the best idea. Well, the children have nothing to do here: even in special shoes, one step, one more step and . .. the bun will go under water. nine0003 Specially photographed the bottom: large stones and pebblesOven at the end of the city beach

Having circled the turret at the end of the promenade, which is not a turret at all, but the most ancient kiln, your eyes will see another beach – wild. The bottom is the same as on the city.

Wild beach in San Juan

On the opposite side of the beach you will find a natural pool with clear water and rough waves.

Natural swimming pool in San Juan Promenade and playground with exercise equipment

Infrastructure

In San Juan there are cafes, fish restaurants, where you can taste delicious Canarian cuisine at an affordable price. There are also small food shops, as well as coffee shops, pubs and a bakery.

This part of Tenerife was chosen by British grandparents. From the very morning they take places in cafes on the coast and sit until late in the evening, drinking coffee.

Tenerife from A to Z. Full guide

From the city it is convenient to lay routes around the island: 20 minutes to Las Americas, 20 minutes to Los Gigantes, about an hour to the capital of Tenerife on the autobahn. nine0003

Most of the apartments are rented with covered parking (possible for an additional fee of +30-40€ for the whole period), unlimited Wi-Fi and balconies.

Nearby is Alcala with a newly renovated promenade, three beaches and natural pools.

If you have questions that you cannot find an answer to, we will be happy to answer them, advise on apartments, areas, prices (completely free of charge).

Always yours, KnPair.ru team! nine0071

Guia de Isora – Alcala – Playa San Juan in Tenerife

+(34) [email protected]

Canary Islands, Spain

Everything for independent rest!

1. Tenerife cities
2. Guia de Isora

Alcala | Plaiya San Juan

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9009 9

	Location:	South-West Tenerife
	Date of foundation:	1530.
	143.43 km²
	Inhabitants: 2017	20537 people
	to the northern airport:	~ 100 km
	to the southern airport:	~ 38 km
	Postal code:	8 to 23 September
	website:	guiadeisora.org
	Coat of arms

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Guía de Isora is the capital of the municipality of the same name, located in the southwestern part of the Canary Islands (Spain) . It is from this part that beautiful views of the neighboring island of La Gomera open up. Among the local population, the city is sometimes abbreviated as Gia. The capital is located at 9km from the nearest coast of the Atlantic Ocean, at an altitude of 560 meters above sea level. The distance to Tenerife North Airport (TFN – Los Rodeos) is about 100 km and the International South Airport (TFS – Reina Sofia) is about 38 km.

Before the Spaniards conquered the island of Tenerife, this region was part of the menceyato administration (menceyato – territorial delimitation or demarcation) of Adeje and was called by the ancient inhabitants of the Guanches “Isora”. This is the name of a girl who was born on the island. After some time, in the 16th century, when the image of Our Lady Gia (Virgen de Guía) was discovered, the Isora region acquires another word in its name – Gia. June 27 1916, By Royal Decree, the name of Guia de Isora in Tenerife is officially adopted.

The last eruption of volcanic lava on the island of Tenerife, just happened on the territory of Guia in 1909 – Chinyero volcano.

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City of Alcala

Alcala – A popular area in Guia de Isora with travelers, this is a small, well maintained coastal town. It is calm and quiet here, Canarian life flows slowly, and several hotels have been built for relaxation. One of them is Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora 5*. Considered to be the hotel with the largest artificial seawater swimming pool in Europe. nine0003

The population is engaged in fishing, growing bananas, tomatoes and other agricultural crops in small quantities. The rest of it works in the field of tourism, which is gradually developing here from year to year.

Beaches in Alcala

In the coastal zone of the city of Alcala, there are several good beaches with black volcanic sand.

La Jaquita Beach

Playa La Jaquita (Spanish: Playa La Jaquita) is a cultural beach that opened after a major renovation in 2015. Among the amenities are paid sunbeds and umbrellas, a toilet, cleaning of the territory, a lifeguard, bars and a recreation area in the form of green spaces and benches. nine0003

A great place for children and adults, where the first ones can frolic and splash in the water, out of danger from the waves of the ocean.

Mendes Beach

The second beach is Playa Mendez (Spanish: Playa Méndez) – located near the old part of the city, next to Llano Square (Spanish: Plaza de Llano). If you choose between two beaches, then undoubtedly La Jaquita is better. But there is one caveat. If you have a mask for surface diving, then there is an opportunity to see real sea turtles. Just for some reason, they sail to this very place, to Mendes Beach.

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What to do?

In the evening you can walk along the modern promenade that runs along the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. The hungry will find a cozy place to eat in some of the seafood restaurants located here (eg Restaurante Saúco) and others with different cuisines such as Italian, Mediterranean, Spanish, pizzeria, etc. nine0003

If you can easily leave Alcala, then 7 kilometers to the west, there is a small resort town of Puerto de Santiago, with a popular beach of black volcanic sand Playa La Playa (Spanish. La Arena). And if you go east, then 8 kilometers away is the beach with yellow or golden sand Playa de Abama (Spanish: Playa de Abama), which is near the fashionable Abama Hotel. The beach is pretty good too. This is the second artificial yellow sand beach on the island of Tenerife. True, one of the inconveniences that Playa Abama is fraught with is car parking, located several hundred meters away, to which you need to walk up and down the mountain. nine0212

Playa San Juan is a small town and beach of the same name, located in the municipality of Guia de Isora. First of all, the town is known for its fishing seaport and, accordingly, seafood restaurants near it. An open-air vegetable market opens on Wednesdays at Plaza de La Iglesia. On it, local residents present farm products from their land. Basically, the beach of Playa San Juan consists of volcanic solidified lava, along which a pedestrian boulevard stretches for walking and cycling. Its distance is 1300 meters along the Atlantic Ocean.